Meet the Expert: Andrew McCulloch, Regional Manager

Briefly tell us about your role and what you do…

I am currently a Regional Manager within the Construction & Recycling team; my main responsibilities involve working closely with businesses throughout the UK to assist them in the purchase of new assets through tailor-made funding solutions. As well as the purchase of new assets, we can assist with the refinance of existing equipment to release capital, often enabling an organisation grow.

My two key responsibilities, looking after the UK wide Blue Machinery account and looking after a team of Area Sales Managers, mean that I am at my desk most of the time. However, I still get out and about visiting customers, with 1 or 2 days a week spent on the road.

What was your journey to Close Brothers Asset Finance?

I went to University in Liverpool, studying business and finance. After graduating in 2018, I started with Close Brothers Asset Finance in the Sales Academy. Following my successful completion of the Academy, I started my role as an Area Sales Manager in the Construction & Recycling team. Four years later, I was promoted to Regional Manager, and I now look after a great team who work with our largest introducer account across the Construction & Recycling business.

What’s your favourite part of the role?

I would have to say working with our customers on projects. It’s great to get to know them and their businesses. Over the years I have been able to assist with financing opportunities such as wash plants and recycling lines. Working with these customers to find suitable funding options that work for their cash flow, timeline and supplier requirements, is a great experience.

Outside of work, how do you like to spend your time?

I like my sport, I enjoy playing tennis in my spare time and golf, with my ever-improving handicap currently at 18. I also like to get some peace and quiet by walking my cocker spaniel, Otto.

Can you give us an example of a time where asset finance has helped one of your customers?

This is hard to narrow down to just one time, as we have been fortunate enough to help many customers. In particular, we have been able to help several customers unlock funding by refinancing a wide range of construction equipment, from crushers to 8-wheel tipper grab wagons. These customers have used this newly released capital to grow their businesses through the purchase of new equipment and in some cases, the acquisition of new quarries.

What assets are you finding the most ‘in demand’ at the moment?

We fund such a wide variety of equipment; it would be impossible to say which has been in more demand than others. However, this past winter has brought different challenges to all businesses, in particular the weather, meaning the equipment they need to tackle these problems had changed. With these challenges that our customers have faced, we have been doing what we can to help, including helping them manage payments during the slower periods.

What do you think 2024 holds for the Construction industry?

The year has started off quite slowly, with high interest rates and bad weather both having an impact. But from speaking to customers, I get the sentiment that businesses want to push on and pull back what has been lost in the first quarter of this year. I think with the potential of a good summer and autumn, I would expect to see the Construction industry flourish and get much busier.

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